Why Kids Say, “Once is Not Enough”

Why Kids Say,

“Once is Not Enough”

Plus

New Gallery introduced.

                                       First Class Maid and Guest Blogger- JAMIE

The first time is magic.  The second or third time is magic magnified a hundred times over.  That’s what children tell me, in their own sweet words, of course. Over the years I’ve gotten to know many of our “regular kiddies” and I’ve asked them what it is about the permanent, interactive Titanic MuseumAttraction that keeps bringing them back?

First they say there’s so much to see and do that they couldn’t possibly experience it all in one visit. They also know that new exhibits and special interactive children’s events are happening all the time and that there are always, never-before-seen Titanic artifacts to surprise them.

 Now, of course, that could be because our dear ship’s co-owner & Admiral, Mary Kellogg, is constantly reshuffling the decks to make room for new and exciting Titanic tributes.  Admiral Mary knows how children think and what it takes to hold their interest.  You might say, twenty years as a Senior Executive at Walt Disney Company has something to do with that.

             Touch the Iceberg * Steer the Ship * Test the water * Talk to Polar

At the end of the day, I’ve come to the conclusion that children and Titanic were meant for each other, and so sayeth …..

“I thought it would be HOKEY.  And it WASN’T!”  Murphy Evans

“Our daughter loved the exhibit! She was so pleased when we told her we were returning.”   -   Times

We had visited the attraction twice.  Both times left us awestruck.  This is worth putting on your bucket list.”  - A Myriad of Thoughts

Now, I hope those of you who have toured Titanic before will bring the family and come back to see us soon, and those who have yet to

discover the experience of Titanic will set the date for your first visit.

Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, TN

Our Family Trip To Titanic Branson for Christmas

As Chief Purser at the Titanic Museum Attraction, our Captain gave me special approval to bring my family in to get a sneak peek at all of the Christmas decorations inside the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. After all, if I haven't seen them, I can't tell all of you about them. I have to say that the crew really outdid themselves this year. The decorations are absolutely breathtaking.

My boys were really looking forward to seeing the iceberg. It is a REAL living, growing iceberg. They were curious to see if it had gotten any bigger.

Parents, this iceberg provides a perfect learning opportunity. How are icebergs formed? How big can they get? We have a few science lessons available on our website at http://www.titanicattraction.com/titanic-education-science.php . If you do one of these lessons before your tour and then talk about the lesson as you go through the museum, it will bring the lesson to life for your children.

My oldest son loves the giant Titanic model. He is fascinated by it. When you are there, ask a crew member to shine a light in on the windows of the model. I won't tell you what you'll see. I want it to be a surprise. It took the artist 2 years to build this ship. It is just amazing and we are very lucky to have such an exhibit.

If you love dogs, you'll love this next part of our tour. By the way, this next part is only in Branson, Mo. Our Pigeon Forge location doesn't have a dog exhibit. Now, you ask, "Why dogs?" Well, there were 10 dogs that traveled on Titanic in 1912. Molly and Carter are our 2 King Charles Spaniels who represent the 10 dogs. Their kennel, pictured here, cost $1M to construct. They will be turning 5 on Thanksgiving weekend and we will have a giant birthday celebration in their honor. Click here for details. 


If you would like to teach your children about the 10 different breeds of dogs that were on Titanic, visit our Molly and Carter page. It is very interesting to see what kinds of dogs people had as pets, 101 years ago. Again, your children will learn so many valuable things, but because the museum is set up as an interactive attraction, they won't realize that they are learning.

After we spent time with Molly and Carter, we were off to see the Grand Staircase. I couldn't wait. It's my favorite part of the museum. Mostly because it really makes me feel like I am a passenger on the ship, on my way to a fancy party. My children look at it as a competition - who can reach the top first. Did you know that our Titanic Museum Attraction owners built the Grand Staircase from original Harland and Wolfe architectual plans? I can't explain to you in words the beauty of this Grand Staircase. The Edwardian Style Christmas decorations are exquisite and the atmosphere is truly magical.
Titanic didn't sail at Christmas, but if she had, we believe she would have looked like this. We decorate at Christmas to honor the 2,208 passengers and crew of Titanic in hopes that their legacy will go on.

The tour continues up the stairs where you will see a 1st class stateroom, Molly Brown's Gallery which will be leaving Branson at the end of the year, and you will see several interactive rooms full of learning opportunities.

 Your family can enter the Captain's bridge and learn about all of the equipment it takes to run and steer such a huge ship. They can actually put their hands in 28 degree water and see how long they can withstand the frigid temperature. They can feel how steep the ship decks became as Titanic descended into the water. They can sit in an actual size lifeboat and hear actual Titanic passengers tell their stories. And, what kid doesn't want to learn how to send an SOS signal? You can do that too. Also, available online are additional educational lessons to back up what they learn in these interactive rooms.
At the end of your tour, you can meet Polar. He is an interactive digital bear. He talks to the children about Titanic and they can actually talk back to him. This is a high tech interactive feature that my boys really think is entertaining. On your tour, you can find out why Polar came to be. It is a history lesson straight from Titanic and its sure to pull at your heart strings.

At the end of the tour is the gift shop brimming with one of a kind original gifts and collectibles. It's especially beautiful at Christmas. My children especially love the toy section. Our favorite is the coby blocks available in the gift shop. They built the ship last year and it is on display in our house. These are blocks that are compatible with legos.

We spent almost 2 hours touring the Titanic Museum Attraction. We stopped for a few more photos outside the ship. There are some really pretty Christmas props outside perfect for photo opportunities.

As you can see, this is a history lesson full of interactive exhibits decorated beautifully for Christmas. We have amazing events planned including fireworks and snow in Pigeon Forge, Tn. and a Fantasy Princess that will make her rounds at both locations. Oh and we are open year round!  The only days we are closed are Christmas Day and January 6-9, 2014 in Branson and January 13-16, 2014 in Pigeon Forge. We close for those 4 days each year so that we can clean the ship from bow to stern and install new galleries and exhibits. We change every year. So, each year, there are new reasons to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction - a continuous history lesson in honor of the 2,208 passengers and crew of the RMS Titanic.

Peace and Blessings be with You and Yours this Holiday Season, 

Chief Purser

Erin Wicker

  and family. :)

P.S. write me and tell me about your Christmas trip to Titanic. I would love to hear from you!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/Titanicmuseumattraction
Email - erin.wicker@titanicattraction.com
Comment below.

Have an Ice Day at the Titanic Museum Attraction

 I am very excited to say that our 2nd Annual Titanic Pigeon Forge Ice Carving Competition is coming up in January 2012. It will be held on Saturday, January 14 at our Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. For more information, visit our website. The event is free!!!  Contest Information is below.

I have been attending these Ice Carving Competitions at our Branson, Mo. location for several years with my family. We are always amazed that a sculptor can chisel down a 250 pound block of ice into a spectacular work of art. My boys are especially entertained by this event. It is nice to be able to take them somewhere (in January when cabin fever hits hard at our house) that THEY enjoy.

I am running a facebook contest for this event in Pigeon Forge. It begins on December 3, 2011 on our Titanic Museum Attraction facebook page. The winner will receive a January 14, 2012 FAMILY PASS to our Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. and a one-night stay at the Wilderness at the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Waterpark Resort. I can't think of a better way to fix cabin fever in mid-January than to come experience this event.

Here are some sculptures that were created last year:

I hope to see you at the Titanic in Pigeon Forge, Tn.  this year as we kick off 2012 with our Year Long Tribute to Titanic as She Turns 100 years old!

Mom Bloggers enjoy Titanic's Christmas Kickoff!

Last Friday night, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. hosted a special MOM BLOGGER event to help the museum kickoff the Christmas in a Winter Wonderland Celebration. Mom Bloggers from Knox News, Knox Moms, and other local Tennessee Moms with noteworthy Blogs attended this private event with their families. The Titanic Museum Attraction's owners John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn wanted to recognize these special women for their continued support of the new museum and wanted the moms and their families to experience this Grand Christmas celebration.

This event proved to be a huge success! I enjoyed meeting all of these amazing women and their families and was privileged to welcome each aboard our ship! All of the Mom bloggers enjoyed a private self-guided tour of the museum to see the ship adorned in Christmas decorations from the Edwardian period. Although the Titanic went down in April 1912, she had many Decembers planned and the museum decorates as a tribute to Her.

At 7:00pm, after each family enjoyed their private tour, we all met in the parking lot for the BIG event. We were joined by Rick Laney of Ackermann PR and many others from local news stations, newspapers, and magazines!  The Christmas Tree, set up in front of the fountains was magnificent. There were gifts stacked up under the bow of the tree which made for a perfect photo opportunity. The affair began with a Christmas ensemble choir, maids handing out candy, the lighting of the tree, and camels with wisemen of coarse! Then, music began to play and we all waited in anticipation for SNOW. Without delay, REAL snow began to fall from the bow of the ship produced from the same machinery that Disney World uses! Children and adults alike loved it. They danced to the music and tried to catch snow flakes on their tongues. Jaynee, our First Class Maid, waved from the BOW of the ship with a beautiful young "maid in training" Madisson and "Polar" the Titanic Bear.

As the snow began to build up on the museum's sidewalk, a fireworks display commenced, filling the sky with radiant colors. This event was done in Grand Scale just like the museum itself. I heard several guests proclaim that the fireworks display was better than anything they had seen during the 4th of July! Our Mom Bloggers and their families loved the experience. Some of their children were interviewed by the media which I believe they viewed as a huge honor.

I would like to personally thank Ali James of Knoxnews.com and Knoxmoms.com. She assisted me in reaching these wonderful moms who represent the families of Eastern Tennessee! Our ship and crew love being nestled in our new home in the Great Smoky Mountains and I would like to encourage all Moms reading my blog to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tn. this holiday season. It is truly a Family Interactive Experience that you won't want to miss. Although you will not be able to see fireworks, it will snow each and every Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm from now until January 1, 2011! Traffic is crazy on the Parkway so leave early and I strongly recommend that you pre-purchase your tickets on our website as the museum sells out very quickly each day!


Three Cheers and 1,000 Thank You's to Tennessee's very special MOM Bloggers and their familes!

Kindergarten

It was quiet in the house last Thursday when my 5 year old son went off to Kindergarten for the first time. For the past several weeks, Hunter and I have been talking about what it will be like at school. We enjoyed a "Meet and Greet" time where we got to meet his teacher and see his classroom for the first time. I have NEVER seen my son act so shy and quiet in his life. He literally hid behind me and did not speak, which is highly unusual for him. However, first impressions regarding his teacher were perfect. She is laid back, patient, and very sweet! Hunter enjoyed meeting her.

School Supplies- were a breeze this year. The Branson Primary teachers asked us to provide $20 per student and the teachers did the school supply shopping. This not only saved us money, but I think it worked out better for the teachers too because all kids in the class will have the same stuff. Also, as I mentioned in a previous blog, the Back to School Bash, hosted by the First Baptist Church in Branson, gave FREE school supplies to ALL attendees.

The Backpack-Here is the deal with the back pack. Hunter has an older brother who is in 3rd grade. The "cool" backpack style this year is one of those "sling" strap style bags. Well, Hunter got a traditional backpack that fit him, so his brother told him that he can only use one strap when carrying his backpack. Believe me when I say, Hunter has followed this rule every time he has picked up the bag!

The FIRST drop off- Our entire family took Hunter in to his classroom on the first day. We found his name at a table and got him situated in his "new home away from home". He said, "Mom, will you come eat lunch with me today?" I said yes and proceeded to ask his teacher what time I should be there to eat lunch. She said that parents can't eat lunch with their kids the entire first month of school. I understand the rule because they are trying to acclimate these Kindergarten students with the procedures. However, I was a little bit anxious about that...We left the school and proceeded on to take our 3rd grader to his building and then we came back to the Primary building and spied on Hunter to see what he was doing in his new classroom. I didn't cry.

Lunch-We have been getting Hunter prepared for eating lunch on his own. See, Hunter likes to sing and laugh and talk during meal time. He is a "snacker", if you will? What we have been warning him about is that he will need to EAT HIS LUNCH because he will be hungry and he will not be able to eat snacks every hour and half. Usually dinner goes like this - We tell Hunter to eat and then end up having to feed him because he won't do it himself. We have said that he will have to feed himself at school because the cafeteria workers will not be cutting up his food and spoon feeding him. So far, he tells us that he loves the chocolate milk and the ice cream. He hasn't had time to eat any of the other stuff on his tray. :)

Meeting new Friends-Hunter has been exposed to pre-school, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible school, so therefore meeting new friends shouldn't be too difficult. He is pretty social. I did get a bit anxious about this because of how quiet he was when we went to meet his teacher. YIKES! When I went to pick him up after the first day (I got in line to wait for him an hour before he actually got out!!!), the first thing that he said was, "I met a new friend today. His name is Joshua. " I asked, "how did you meet him?." Hunter said, "I went up to him and said, will you be my friend? And, he said sure." This makes MOMMA so proud.

Nap time-there seems to be a debate on whether or not Hunter should bring a towel to lay on at nap time. The teacher said that we couldn't use a mat because they were too big and there wasn't enough room in the classroom to store 20 mats. So...she suggested that we send a towel for Hunter to lay on. Well, on the first day, I forgot the towel. The teacher said that she would just have him lay on the carpet. Now, Hunter can't decide if the carpet or the towel will be more comfortable. He has practiced on both at home trying to decide and still this morning tells me that he will continue to lay on the carpet. I'm not sure how long the teacher will allow this?

Bathroom Breaks-Now this is funny. Hunter did not "go" the entire first day. He said that the potties are TOO low to the ground and he was afraid that he would make mess. Needless to say, when I picked him up we had to go back in so he could "go".

End of the day-I was fine ALL day, but after Hunter got home from school, I hugged him and just starting balling my eyes out. That is typical for me. I am a ROCK in a pinch and during a trial. After all is said and completely done, I fall apart. I just can't believe that my baby is in school. Time has gone by so quickly. I am so proud of him and I love him and his brother dearly.